2023 BMW 330I Body Control Module Software Recall (23V118)
BMW of North America, LLC · 120 vehicles · Reported February 23, 2023
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 120 2023 BMW 330E; 2023 BMW 330I; 2022-2023 BMW 430I; 2022-2023 BMW I4; 2023 BMW M3; 2023 BMW M340I; 2022-2023 BMW M440I vehicles. During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended. Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V118 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V118000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 23, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2023 BMW 330E; 2023 BMW 330I; 2022-2023 BMW 430I; 2022-2023 BMW I4; 2023 BMW M3; 2023 BMW M340I; 2022-2023 BMW M440I |
| Units affected | 120 |
| Component | Electrical System > Body Control Module > Software |
| Safety risk | Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023 BMW 330I in recall 23V118?
During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, 330e, 330e xDrive, 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive, M440i, 2022-2023 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles. During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended.
Is it safe to drive a 2023 330I with recall 23V118?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the software.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V118?
Recall 23V118 covers 120 vehicles: 2023 BMW 330E; 2023 BMW 330I; 2022-2023 BMW 430I; 2022-2023 BMW I4; 2023 BMW M3; 2023 BMW M340I; 2022-2023 BMW M440I.
NHTSA lists 120 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | BMW | 330E |
| 2023 | BMW | 330I |
| 2022-2023 | BMW | 430I |
| 2022-2023 | BMW | I4 |
| 2023 | BMW | M3 |
| 2023 | BMW | M340I |
| 2022-2023 | BMW | M440I |
What is the fix for the 330I body control module software recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge.
Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
When was recall 23V118 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 23V118 to NHTSA on February 23, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 10, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 23, 2023 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V118000. |
| April 10, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 43 months ago. If your 330I was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my 330I is part of recall 23V118?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V118 is open on your 330I, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 23V118000 is open on your 330I, it will be listed there. You can also ask any BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should 330I owners do about recall 23V118?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V118000 applies to your 330I.
- Call a BMW dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any software symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are 330I owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 29 of them about the electrical system.
Since recall 23V118 was reported on February 23, 2023, owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 1 of them (4%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the electrical system and were received on or after February 23, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related electrical system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 81 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 29 of them involve the electrical system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 BMW I4: 45 complaints in total, 18 about the electrical system
- 2022 BMW I4: 10 complaints in total, 4 about the electrical system
- 2022 BMW 430I: 8 complaints in total, 2 about the electrical system
- 2023 BMW 330E: 7 complaints in total, 3 about the electrical system
- 2023 BMW 330I: 4 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
- 2023 BMW M440I: 3 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
- 2023 BMW 430I: 3 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
- 2023 BMW M3: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2023 BMW i4. The contact stated that while driving at 20-30 MPH with a fully charged battery, the engine seized on two separate occasions. There was an abnormal grinding sound detected. The inoperable do not drive message was displayed after the failure.
2023 BMW I4 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11654118, filed April 11, 2025
The only way I could explain it was as if my brakes were failing. After joining the bmw i4 group on Facebook and having my kids record while driving. I was able to capture the issue.
2023 BMW I4 owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11656435, filed April 23, 2025
While driving, the vehicle experiences intermittent braking failures, electrical glitches, and/or sudden loss of power. These issues match known problems reported on similar 2023 BMW i4 models. My VIN does not show an active recall, but I am experiencing dangerous symptoms. I am concerned for my safety and others. I respectfully request an investigation.
2023 BMW I4 owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11656987, filed April 26, 2025
Can recall 23V118 make my 330I a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V118000 does not automatically make your 330I a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Electrical faults are hard to diagnose, so dealers often try several fixes before one works, if one works at all. That pattern of repeat visits for the same software problem is common in lemon law claims.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your 330I been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW 330I recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V118
Did the recall 23V118 fix work?
Since recall 23V118 was reported on February 23, 2023, owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on these vehicles. 1 of them (4%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed April 10, 2023.
Is the 23V118000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my 330I is part of recall 23V118000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V118000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or BMW. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.